Boeing Unmanned Maritime Systems

Boeing to Acquire Liquid Robotics

6 December 2016 – Boeing has entered into an agreement to acquire Liquid Robotics, a market leader in autonomous maritime systems and developer of the Wave Glider ocean surface robot, to grow its seabed-to-space autonomous capabilities.

“With Liquid Robotics’ innovative technology and Boeing’s leading intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance solutions, we are helping our customers address maritime challenges in ways that make existing platforms smarter, missions safer and operations more efficient,” said Leanne Caret, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

In September 2014, Boeing and Liquid Robotics entered into a teaming agreement resulting in extensive integration on the Sensor Hosting Autonomous Remote Craft (SHARC®), a version of the Wave Glider. The SHARC, integrated with Boeing’s advanced sensors, connects intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities ranging from satellites to manned and unmanned aircraft to sub-surface crafts.

Liquid Robotics has designed and manufactured the Wave Glider, the first wave and solar-powered autonomous ocean robot, since its founding in 2007. With more than 1 million nautical miles traveled, the Wave Glider’s capabilities address the challenges facing defense, commercial and science customers by making ocean data collection and communications easier, safer and immediate.

“I am proud of our team, culture, and relentless commitment to designing the best ocean surface robot in the maritime industry,” said Gary Gysin, president and CEO of Liquid Robotics. “This acquisition allows us to leverage the strengths of one of the world’s leading global companies while continuing to push our innovation to new levels.”

Liquid Robotics has approximately 100 employees in California and Hawaii. The company will become a subsidiary of Boeing operating under its current business model and reporting to Kory Mathews, vice president of Autonomous Systems for Defense, Space & Security. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Completion of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

2d3 Sensing’s software and services are used by the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and other government and commercial customers. Their products can be found on the ScanEagle and Integrator systems provided by Boeing subsidiary Insitu, and this acquisition will allow further integration of 2d3 Sensing’s video analysis and other capabilities, into Insitu and other Boeing platforms.

2d3 Sensing has approximately 40 employees in California and the United Kingdom.

“Insitu has a long history with 2d3 and by integrating them into the team, we can further leverage the unique capabilities the company offers,” said Ryan Hartman, Insitu president and CEO. “The services they provide highlight ways in which computer vision and image processing technologies can be used to enhance and analyze full motion video data captured and recorded during live missions. We look forward to incorporating such improvements into our unmanned vehicles.”

The initial focus of the collaboration will be to develop total integrated solutions for anti-submarine warfare, maritime domain awareness and other maritime defense applications.

“It’s a great opportunity to partner with Liquid Robotics to provide new and existing customers a unique portfolio of defense solutions and capabilities,” said Chris Chadwick, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “This relationship allows the Boeing-Liquid Robotics team to solve maritime security and surveillance challenges in entirely new and highly effective ways and provides unprecedented capability and value to customers worldwide.”

“We look forward to teaming with Boeing to expand domestic and international opportunities that combine Boeing’s expertise in aircraft systems and integrated defense solutions with Liquid Robotics’ expertise in persistent unmanned ocean vehicles,” said Gary Gysin, President and CEO of Liquid Robotics. "Together, Boeing and Liquid Robotics will provide customers an integrated, seafloor-to-space capability for long duration maritime defense.

Hartman most recently served as senior vice president, Insitu Programs. He succeeds CEO Steve Morrow, who is retiring.

"Insitu invented the agile small tactical unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance category and continues to be a leader in the industry,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president for unmanned airborne systems programs. “As Insitu enters its third decade of operation, Ryan is ideally suited to push technologies and processes to continue Insitu’s strong, global growth trajectory.”

As Insitu president and CEO, Hartman is responsible for executing the Insitu business plan and building on its extensive portfolio, which today includes the ScanEagle and Integrator unmanned aircraft. He leads more than 800 employees, based primarily in the Columbia River Gorge area in Washington state and Oregon.

“I’m honored and humbled to be named CEO of Insitu,” said Hartman. “I’m proud and excited to continue our tradition of technical excellence and to support the Columbia Gorge community.”

In his previous position, Hartman led the company’s Integrator, ScanEagle, Advanced Programs and Business Development program offices, where he advanced the company’s research, development and product engineering and the Insitu Common Open-mission Management Command and Control (ICOMC2) ground control station.

“Our people and innovation are our competitive advantages in the region, and Ryan’s selection reinforces Boeing’s and Insitu’s commitment to its continued growth,” said Nordlund.

Hartman is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy and a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.